Best of February & March 2024
How many albums are too many to put on this list? I don't usually bother with the number of albums I recommend in these monthly posts, but when the number for February and March reached 30, I wondered if that was too many. Am I exaggerating?
The answer is -no. Of course I could have reduced the number, as some albums on this list are closer to my heart than others, but once again I wanted to show the richness of the current music scene. New albums are constantly being released in the area that I summarise under the term 'world music'. They include genres such as jazz, ambient, post-rock, blues, rock, experimental music, electronic, metal, funk, soul and even classical music. It's music with more or less traditional influences; you can call it whatever you like, but they all have one thing in common - they're all good albums. And that's why there aren't too many; there can never be too much good music.
I know it's difficult to listen to all these 30 albums, but you have time; save them in your playlists. To help you with this, I've created a mix with one song from each of these 30 albums. Press play (you'll find the track list at the end of the post) and read a little about all this wonderful music that will cheer you up. It certainly cheered me up in February and March.
I've to add something - of these 30 albums, 26 were released in February and March, three in January and only one last year. However, I heard these four for the first time in February or March.
Abdallah Oumbadougou - Amghar - The Godfather Of Tuareg Music Vol.1 (Strong Place Music 2024.)
Abdallah Oumbadougou is practically the pioneer of the so-called desert blues, which he began practising back in the 1980s. He achieved almost cult status among the Tuareg, but never achieved the international fame of the group Tinariwen or later successors of groups such as Tamikrest, Bombino or Mdou Moctar. Abdallah Oumbadougou's discography is not so well known to the general public, but now the record label Strong Place Music has released a compilation entitled "Amghar - The Godfather Of Tuareg Music Vol.1", which contains a wealth of outstanding tracks - from live recordings and previously unreleased material to material that made Abdallah famous in his day, at least in the Tuareg community.
Ana Lua Caiano - Vou Ficar Neste Quadrado (Glitterbeat Records 2024.)
Ana Lua Caiano is a young musician who plays with traditional Portuguese music on her debut album "Vou Ficar Neste Quadrado", deconstructing it and fusing it with electronics. Ana does everything herself - she sings, plays several instruments and creates the background music. This album offers a fresh perspective on the tradition, and I give her extra credit because she handles live looping fantastically, which is not often the case. We will certainly be hearing a lot more from this artist in the years to come.
Ann O'aro - Bleu (Buda Musique 2024.)
Dedicated verses inspired by the fonnkèr oral poetry of Réunion, a minimal musical accompaniment inspired by Maloya music, and a brilliant voice that often leads us through the songs in an a cappella version. This is Ann O'aro, a 33-year-old artist who has once again recorded an exciting album, her third in her career.
Aziza Brahim - Mawja (Glitterbeat Records 2024.)
Aziza Brahim enchanted me with her 2014 album "Soutak". This album conveyed to the world all that refugees from the Western Sahara experience who have been without their home for decades, and musically it was all excellently packaged in a blend of desert and Spanish music, as Aziza has lived in Spain for a long time. Ten years later, the singer released her fourth album entitled "Mawja"," which in my opinion is her best release since "Soutak" Not much has changed in her music - Aziza's powerful voice still carries everything, the musical accompaniment is similar, and unfortunately so are the themes. The only difference from the previous albums is that "Mawja" flows beautifully and introduces the listener to Aziza's world.
Ausecuma Beats - Dakar Bamako (Music In Exile 2024.)
"Dakar Bamako" isn't a regular album, but rather a project involving a total of 14 musicians, not just members of Ausecuma Beats. Boubacar Gaye and Bassidi Koné, members of this Australian band, returned to Dakar and Bamako at the end of 2022, but they haven't given up the band. On the contrary, for the new album they have brought together Australian, Senegalese and Malian musicians and created an interesting fusion of West African music and Afrobeat, for which Ausecuma Beats was known.
Chiyomi Yamada + baobab - Songs Of My Land (Indigo Road 2024.)
Ancient Japanese melodies are combined with European folk influences, especially of Celtic origin. This is the combination that produced Chiyomi Yamada and the band Baobab on the album "Songs Of My Land".
De Mar Y Rio - Bailen y Gocen (Palenque Records 2024.)
Most of my travel wishes have to do with music, so I would love to visit the Pacific coast of Colombia to hear the music there, which is based on polyphony, marimba and percussion. Every year, several performers who play this music amaze me, and now it is De Mar Y Rio, a young band that has released its first album "Bailen y Gocen" and has shown that it is ready to carry on this wonderful tradition.
El Gato Negro - Tigre Qui Pleure (X-Ray Production 2024.)
The French multi-instrumentalist El Gato Negro has gathered a variety of interesting musicians from Africa and South America on his new album and takes us on a pleasant journey through these continents. "Tigre Qui Pleure" is a feel-good album that is perfect for the warm spring days.
Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou - Souvenirs (Mississippi Records 2024.)
Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou is an Ethiopian musician who, unlike her colleagues from the Éthiopiques album series, plays classical music on the piano. She interweaves specific Ethiopian pentatonic scales developed within the Amhara ethnic group with religious elements, which is not surprising as she spent most of her life as a nun. Her life story is material for a movie: in the 1950s she received an invitation from the Royal Academy of Music in London, but the authorities would not let her leave the country, so she remained in Ethiopia. She died last year at the age of 99 while she was preparing this album, on which she can be heard singing for the first time. The material was recorded between 1977 and 1985, when she and her family were under a kind of house arrest during the notorious Derg regime.
Farah Kaddour - Badā (Asadun Alay Records 2024.)
We got to know Farah Kaddour as part of the Lebanese band Sanam, which released the fantastic album "Aykathani Malakon" last year. Now the musician has released a solo album on the buzuk, which draws on the Arabic folk tradition but also contains a lot of improvisation.
HJirok - Hjirok (Altin Village & Mine 2024.)
Hani Mojtahedy je iranska glazbenica i umjetnica koja se preselila 2004., a kojoj nije dozvoljen povratak u rodnu zemlju zbog svojih aktivističkih stavova o ženskim pravima te odnosu prema Kurdima u Iranu. Najbliže što je bila rodnoj zemlji je irački grad Erbil u kojem je Mojtahedy snimila nekoliko sufi glazbenika i to joj je poslužilo kao osnova za ovaj album kojeg je objavila pod imenom HJirok. Sufi tradicija je razlomljena i fino nadopunjena elektronskom glazbom, a pri radu na ovom albumu pomogao joj je Andi Toma iz grupe Mouse On Mars.
Lagos Thugs - Chaos (Immensum Music 2023.)
"Chaos" is one of the albums from last year that I somehow skipped over, which is quite strange because it's one of the best afrobeat releases of the last few years. The Nigerian 15-piece band Lagos Thugs really got everything right on it - musically phenomenal, with bold and engaging lyrics. Fela Kuti would be proud. Each of the four songs on the album has its message, but "Innocent Blood" is something special. In it, Lagos Thugs sing about the massacre by the Nigerian army in 2020, in which at least 12 people were killed during the protests in Lekki. It was an unbelievable scandal that the Nigerian authorities tried to cover up for days, but Lagos Thugs sing openly sing about it all. 'On October 20 government massacre my people,' Lagos Thugs sing, continuing with the story of the massacre in Lekki. It all ends with a call to fight and resist, and such calls aren't exactly common in a country where the army and the government are always closely linked. However, Lagos Thugs know that music has the power to mobilize people. They learned everything from Fela, and they learned it well. Resistance, we kind of forgot that, but nothing goes without resistance.
Lair - Ngélar (Guruguru Brain 2024.)
Musical trends always bring with them many mediocre performers, which leads to listeners distancing themselves from the trend and it gradually disappearing from the scene. This will probably also happen with the ubiquitous psychedelic folk rock that we have been bombarded with in recent years. However, as long as bands like Lair exist, there is no need to fear the disappearance of this trend. On the contrary, after listening to "Ngélar", the Indonesian band's second album, you want to listen to this kind of music every day. Lair is loud, psychedelic and authentic and skillfully blends influences from traditional Indonesian music with what can best be described as psychedelic rock. And when Monica Hapsari joins in on vocals for three songs, everything takes a completely crazy turn. "Ngélar" is an album that I've been returning to again and again over the last few weeks and is currently at the top of my list of the best releases in 2024.
Mari Boine - Hver Gang Vi Møtes (TV2 2024.)
Last year Mari Boine treated us to an album with Bugge Wesseltoft, and "Hver gang vi møtes" is a mini-album of songs from the Norwegian TV show of the same name, in which Mari Boine sang songs by six of her Norwegian colleagues. I don't know what the originals sound like, but the 67-year-old Joik singer has interpreted them brilliantly. It would be interesting to hear how they sang their songs too.
Maria Mazzotta - Onde (Zero Nove Nove 2024.)
Maria Mazzotta has established herself as one of the most interesting European singers and could have further developed her career by performing only accompanied by an accordionist. However, she decided to make a major change and "Onde" was recorded with the musical accompaniment of an electric guitar and drums. The sound is now much more powerful, more intense, and anyone who was worried about how the whole thing would sound in the end had no reason to worry. Ernesto Nobili and Cristiano Della Monica have blended beautifully with Maria's otherworldly voice, and "Onde" is just another step in the career of the beloved singer and even more beloved person.
Meril Wubslin - Faire Ça (Bongo Joe Records 2024.)
Folk, blues, post-rock, dub. These are the terms used by the Swiss group Meril Wubslin to describe their style. On paper, this may seem somewhat eclectic, but in practice everything is excellently arranged. "Faire Ça" has this somewhat mystical sound that captivates you from the beginning of the album and doesn't let go until the end. It's an album that I keep coming back to, even if it didn't seem like it would be like that on first listen.
Mohama Saz - Máquina de Guerra (YaiYai Records 2024.)
In recent years there have been many bands that have combined psychedelic rock with influences from traditional music, which has led to a slight oversaturation as many bands have done this in a very generic way. However, this is not the case with Spanish band Mohama Saz, whose fifth album is their best to date. "Máquina de Guerra" skillfully blends psychedelic rock with Anatolian-Mediterranean influences, and Javier Alonso leads the album masterfully with his saz. This album has an excellent energy, and I recommend listening to it with headphones while strolling through the city.
Mohammad Syfkhan - I Am Kurdish (Nyahh Records 2024.)
Mohammad Syfkhan is a Kurdish-Syrian singer and buzuki player who began his musical career in the 1980s. Until 2011, he performed in Syria with his band The Al-Rabie Band alongside his job as a hospital worker. Then came the war, which tore his family apart - one son was killed, three moved to Germany, and his wife, daughter and he moved to Ireland.There he continues to devote himself to music, and the album "I Am Kurdish" is his first musical release since moving to the new country. Despite all the hardships, the mission of this album, as he says, is to make people dance.
Nancy Vieira - Gente (Galileo Music 2024.)
When we talk about music from Cape Verde, we first think of dreamy vocals and soft background music through the sound of the guitar. When talking about these associations, it is easiest to describe everything through the music of Nancy Vieira. There is no need to call her a successor to Cesaria Evora, but she comes closest to what the famous Evora used to sing."Gente" is Vieira's first album in six years, and it may contain 14 songs, but that doesn't mean this album ever gets boring. Quite the opposite.
Nemeček - Prokletije II (Lack Of Records 2024.)
When Nemeček presented their album "Prokletije" three years ago, it was a surprise in the Croatian scene, because no one had ever combined elements of Croatian traditional music and Slavic mysticism with psychedelic noise rock so well before. By now, Nemeček is no longer a surprise, but has established itself as a concert attraction throughout the region, and the second part of the "Prokletije" trilogy brings a richer and more mature sound, with a slight shift towards krautrock. The band still successfully flirts with traditional elements, especially through the tambura, with which Vedran Živković creates solid guitar riffs.
Newen Afrobeat - Grietas (Lichens Family 2024.)
Newen Afrobeat is one of my favorite Afrobeat bands from the so-called third generation. Hailing from Chile, the band confirms their mastery of this genre with every album and enriches it with their approach. They are not very prolific in terms of their discography, so after the album "Curiche" in 2019, they only released the EP "Newen Plays Fela Vol.II". On this album, they present songs that once again encourage dancing, but also activism, as Newen Afrobeat always brings a strong, engaged message to their songs. They have chosen their vocal guests excellently and recorded an album that will be spinning in my players for a long time to come.
Omar Souleyman - Erbil (Mad Decent 2024.)
Omar Souleyman, who is known as the Syrian king of weddings who achieved worldwide fame, like thousands of his compatriots, had to leave his country, which had been devastated by a terrible war. He found refuge in the Iraqi city of Erbil, to which he dedicated his fifth studio album, the first released after a five-year hiatus.
Raphael Gimenes - Dinamarca (One World Records 2024.)
As an 18-year-old, Raphael Gimenes left his native Brazil and traveled to Denmark. Since his first album, he has blended Brazilian folk music with jazz, with his dreamy voice becoming his trademark. On his third album, he pays tribute to the country where he currently resides, but not by embracing its musical tradition; instead, he tells a story about experiencing Denmark from the perspective of a young Brazilian who came to live and create there.
Sahra Halgan - Hiddo Dhawr (Danaya Records 2024.)
Sahra Halgan is yet another African musician who had to flee her country. She hails from Somaliland, where she began pursuing music at the age of 13, despite it being forbidden for women in that state. Due to these and other repercussions, she left her country long ago for Europe, but she hasn't forgotten the traditional music from her homeland. Sahra has expertly blended elements of tradition with rock and blues, and "Hiddo Shawr" is her third album.
Sam Lee - songdreaming (Cooking Vinyl 2024.)
'We don't have the tools with which to relate to nature any more. I’m a guide in that sense and music is my sort of Pan pipe, trying to bring people over into a new way of feeling towards what loving nature can be.' With these words, Sam Lee explains what his fourth solo album entitled "songdreaming" is all about. The 43-year-old Englishman has developed into one of the most important Anglo-Saxon folk singers in recent years, and with this album he has only confirmed his status. Brilliantly produced by Bernard Butler, "songdreaming" enchants us once again with beautiful Sam's baritone.
Sheherazaad - Qasr (Erased Tapes 2024.)
Sometimes just a few seconds of a song is enough to know that the whole album is something incredible. This is the case with the (mini) album "Qasr", recorded by American musician Sheherazaad. She has spent a long time coming to terms with her Indian heritage and transmits all of this into these five songs. The comparison with Arooj Aftab is obvious, which is not surprising when you consider that Arooj produced "Qasr". It's hard to listen to this album without being completely overwhelmed with emotion.
Susana Baca - Cantenme (Selfreleased 2024.)
The 79-year-old Susana Baca, a legend of Peruvian and world music, has been very active in the music industry of late. Last year she released the album "Confidencias" and this year "Cantenme". This album is dedicated to her friend Chabuca Grande, who Susana openly admits influenced her. Grande passed away in 1983, and on this album Susana Baca sings some of her songs.
Syriana - 1325 Ibn Battutah (Real World Works 2024.)
Syriana is a project that released its first album "The Road To Damascus" in 2010. It featured numerous musicians from different countries under the direction of the duo Bernard O'Neill - Nick Page. After a long time, they decided to record their second album inspired by the 14th century Moroccan scholar, traveler and explorer Ibn Battuta. The album chronologically follows his travels from North Africa to Central Asia, again with a number of great guests, and it all concludes with the touching song "Law Inta Kont Hina", sung by Natacha Atlas, dedicated to Page, who passed away during the recording of the album.
Xabier Diaz & Adufeiras de Salitre - Axudame A Sentir (Selfreleased 2024.)
There is something magical about traditional Galician music, especially in the interaction of a female choir with percussion. Add to this the gentle and distinctive voice of Xabier Diaz and you have a winning formula that has been working for years. "Axudame A Sentir" is the fourth joint album by Diaz and Adufeiras de Salitre, which once again takes us through the musical heritage of the north-western Spanish province.
ZA! + Perrate - Jolifanto (Lovemonk 2024.)
Tomás de Perrate is an Andalusian Romani flamenco singer whose singing tradition has been passed down from generation to generation in his family. His music bears little resemblance to that of the experimental duo ZA!, which flirts with jazz, post-rock and electronic elements, but they met at a festival where Perrate was impressed by their style. ZA! immediately offered him a collaboration, and although he was surprised by the idea, they began working together, resulting in this album. "Jolifanto" brilliantly combines both styles brilliantly, and that alone should be reason enough to listen to this album.
Tracklist for mixtape:
Sheherazaad - Dhund Lo Mujhe
Ana Lua Caiano - O Bicho Anda Por Aí
De Mar Y Rio - Bailen Y Gocen
Ausecuma Beats - Farafina
Newen Afrobeat - Grietas (ft. Lido Pimienta)
Lagos Thugs - Innocent Blood
ZA! + Perrate - Pregones
Sam Lee - McCrimmon
Ann O'aro - Saple
Farah Kaddour - Madd ou Jazr
HJirok - Jin Bo Chie
Omar Souleyman - Ma Andi Gherak Mahbuub
Sahra Halgan - Sharaf
Abdallah Oumbadougou - He Teneré (Live)
Aziza Brahim - Thajliba
Chiyomi Yamada & Baobab - Muko Yokocho
Maria Mazzotta - La Furtuna
Nemeček - Mirila
Lair - Setan Dolbon
Mohama Saz - Baris
Mohammad Syfkhan - I Adore These Eyes
Syriana - Dimashq al Sham
Meril Wubslin - Tout est curieux
Mari Boine - Mother
Raphael Gimenes - Amigo
El Gato Negro - Mundo Cae
Nancy Vieira - Sol Di Nha Vida
Xabier Diaz & Adufeiras de Salitre - Liebre
Susana Baca - Cuento Silencioso
Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou - Ready to Leave
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